The Ontario Building Code | Application of Footing Width and Area Requirements
9.15.3.3. application of Footing Width and Area Requirements
(1) Except as provided in Sentence 9.15.3.4.(2), the minimum footing width or area requirements provided in Articles 9.15.3.4. to 9.15.3.7. shall apply to footings where,
(a) the footings support,
(i) foundation walls of masonry, concrete, or flat insulating concrete form walls,
(ii) above ground walls of masonry, flat insulating concrete form walls or light wood frame construction, and
(iii) floors and roofs of light wood frame construction,
(b) the span of supported joists does not exceed 4.9 m, and
(c) the specified live load on any floor supported by the footing does not exceed 2.4 kPa.
(2) Except as provided in Sentence 9.15.3.4.(2), where the span of the supported joists exceeds 4.9 m, footings shall be designed in accordance with Section 4.2.
(3) Where the specified live load exceeds 2.4 kPa footings shall be designed in accordance with Section 4.2.
In Plain Language
This article explains how the footing width and area requirements in this Subsection are applied, setting the scope for the specific sizing rules that follow.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.